New look at Thais' free entry

By ALAN PERROTT

The high number of Thais being refused entry into New Zealand could spell the end of visa-free travel between the two countries.

Thais accounted for 900 of the 1238 people turned around at Auckland and Christchurch airports between July last year and June this year.

Immigration Minister Lianne Dalziel said that number - more than 20 times as many as the next highest countries, Australia and Malaysia - was extraordinary.

New Zealand and Thai officials are now talking about how the problem can be remedied.

Ms Dalziel said the number of Thais being refused entry had reached "extraordinary levels" before, and if no answer could be found Thais' right to visa-free travel might have to end.

She said the Thai figures stood out because Thailand was the only "risk" country with visa-free access to New Zealand.

More than 40,000 New Zealanders travel to Thailand each year using the 90-day visa-free status.

Ms Dalziel accepted that some Thai visitors were being wrongly refused entry.

"That is a problem. I can't guarantee that every single person turned around is not a legitimate visitor because when you are talking about such significant numbers, then there have to be mistakes."

The methods used to identify problem visitors are again under scrutiny after a mentally handicapped Czech man was sent home within two hours of arriving at Auckland Airport on Monday.

The Czech Republic has the same visa-free travel rights with New Zealand as Thailand.

Joseph Holub, aged 27, a gypsy, was refused entry while his mother, father, sister and brother-in-law waited for him at the airport.

Mr Holub's parents are applying for refugee status in New Zealand.

The family's lawyer, Gene Leckey, said Mr Holub was rejected because he arrived with only $US100 and $NZ75.

"Obviously, he was going to be supported by his family, but he spoke little English and didn't understand what was happening.

"This is about natural justice. The whole time this was going on he was only a wall away from his mother and father."

He suspected that the border officials were concerned Mr Holub would apply for refugee status.

Mr Leckey wants the Immigration Service to fly Mr Holub back again at its own expense.

Ms Dalziel said she was satisfied officials had followed correct procedures and made the right decision.